Brazil court freezes FB funds as WhatsApp refuses to surrender texts

A Brazilian court ordered the freezing of more than $6 million in Facebook funds as the US company’s WhatsApp messaging service refused to surrender messages demanded by the police.

A Brazilian court ordered the freezing of more than $6 million in Facebook funds as the US company’s WhatsApp messaging service refused to surrender messages demanded by the police. (Reuters)

A Brazilian court ordered the freezing of more than $6 million in Facebook funds as the US company's WhatsApp messaging service refused to surrender messages demanded by the police.

The police had repeatedly asked WhatsApp for the messages of suspected drug dealers involved in an international cocaine traffic case, Xinhua news agency reported.

As the US company failed to respond to the police order issued early this year, a court in Parana on Thursday ordered a freeze of $6.1 million in Facebook accounts.

WhatsApp was cut off in Brazil for 72 hours in May for a similar case.

Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg posted on his Facebook page calling on Brazilians to protest the suspension.

The Facebook founder is yet to react to Brazil's freezing order this time as the latest update on his Facebook page was dated on June 29 at press time.